JEDDAH: As the arts and culture initiative Balad Al-Fann progresses, Jeddah’s historical Al-Balad district is attracting locals, residents and tourists to enjoy beautiful nights in the historic alleys and streets of the old town.
The theme for Balad Al-Fann, which runs until March 9, is “Past Forward,” and the historical district is brimming with projects that combine light and sound, music, theatrical performances, exhibitions, and a number of local eateries and cafes.
Balad Al-Fann, which is organized by the Jeddah Historic District Program, is hosting a variety of cultural programs including a “Common Ground” arts and crafts program; the “Sinbad: I Can See Land” exhibition; Sama’a (Sonic Recall); Al-Mualaqat Street, where famous pre-Islamic poems are being presented in an innovative way; the “Matters through Matter” exhibition; the “Hot Cities” exhibition; the International Jazz Program; and the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts exhibition, along with comedy workshops and artistic plays.
The director general of the Jeddah Historic District Program, Abdulaziz Al-Issa, said Balad Al-Fann was launched to promote Al-Balad as an important cultural destination and a major creative hub for businesses and entrepreneurs.
Zawiya 97, a hub for the Saudi creative and traditional arts scene, incubates creative endeavors of all sizes near Jeddah’s iconic Nassif House. The hub’s CEO, Ahmed Angawi, told Arab News: “We at Zawiya 97 celebrate unity, diversity, and the arts as the heart of cultural enrichment. The ‘Common Ground’ program (is) inspired by our cultural heritage and architecture as a universal language of civilization.”
Guests can meet artists at their studios, view their works, and participate in the creation of various products and art pieces. The artists will contribute to the community by sharing their knowledge and expertise.
Angawi added that Zawiya 97 is also organizing its first photographic exhibition — “Nass Al-Balad” (People of Al-Balad): “The exhibition sheds light on the human element of historic Jeddah and the continued impact of its community and its people,” he said. “‘Nass Al-Balad’ is a celebration of them … documenting their stories, crafts, traditions and talents, and ensuring that they are passed down to future generations. It also aims to raise awareness of the importance of arts and crafts.”
In her presentation about the “Sonic Recall” program at Balad Al-Fann, Tara Al-Dughaither, curator and founder of the artistic research, documentation and production platform Sawtasura, explained: “To me, art is a way to express and deliver ideas, feelings and experiences … ‘Sonic Recall’ is a program that falls under the umbrella of audio sound.”
Suhaib Al-Hogbani, a Saudi visitor from Riyadh, told Arab News that the atmosphere in Al-Balad was “entertaining,” adding that the area has changed a lot and there are now many events to attend.
“These alleys and narrow winding streets make us live an experience,” Al-Hogbani said. “It is so nice to see artists near Nassif house working in their studios and visitors can engage with them.”
Naseem Rida, a Jeddah resident from Syria who was visiting Al-Balad with his family, stressed that Al-Balad is a nice destination for all members of the family.
“We found it very exciting and entertaining and it is the place to be these days,” he said.
Balad Al-Fann shines spotlight on rich culture, arts of Jeddah
https://arab.news/2pgt7
Balad Al-Fann shines spotlight on rich culture, arts of Jeddah
- Visitors flock to city’s historical district to visit new cultural initiative
- The hub’s CEO, Ahmed Angawi, told Arab News: “We at Zawiya 97 celebrate unity, diversity, and the arts as the heart of cultural enrichment”
‘Cake not hate’ campaign becomes ‘Dates not hate’ in Madinah
- Dan said he was very impressed by Saudi hospitality and that his family was warmly welcomed
- He said being in Madinah exposed him to the true diversity of Islam
LONDON: A British autistic and non-verbal boy who has been visiting UK mosques and distributing cakes to promote solidarity amid an increase in far-right support in the country has taken his message of love to Madinah.
Joshua Harris, or “The Joshie-Man” as the 12-year-old is known to his social media fans, has handed out hundreds of his baked goods to worshipers at mosques in major British cities over the last few months.
The “Cake not hate” campaign came about after an Islamophobic attack on a mosque in his home city of Peterborough in October 2025.
Harris and his father visited Masjid Darassalaam, the mosque that was targeted, with cakes that the boy had baked and distributed them to the congregation soon after the attack. Since then, Harris has visited dozens of mosques in the UK.
On a recent trip to the Middle East, he and his father visited Madinah. In a local twist that pays tribute to the holy city’s famous date varieties including ajwa and ambar, Harris handed out dates to people in the courtyard of the Prophet’s Mosque. The “Cake not hate” campaign became “Dates not hate” for Saudi Arabia.
“He was greeted really, really warmly. There were some really touching moments where people were kissing his hands and his head. It was really lovely,” his father, Dan Harris, said.
Dan, the founder of global charity Neurodiversity in Business, said being in Madinah exposed him to the true diversity of Islam.
“We met people from all around the world. It was amazing. It’s like the United Nations there, you get people from different countries and it just goes to show you that the Muslim community, or the Ummah more generally, is not a homogeneous group,” he said.
“We saw people from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and it was really interesting for us.”
Dan said his visit to Madinah, considered the second holiest city in Islam after Makkah for Muslims, was “profound and life-changing.”
He added: “I would say it’s my favourite city in the world due to the peace and tranquillity I felt there.”
Dan added that he was very impressed by Saudi hospitality: “Everywhere we went, people were taking down my number and insisting that we come for dinner, insisting they pick us up from the location. They were extremely attentive to Joshie as well, making sure his needs were met. We felt a great sense of welcome, something Saudi Arabia is known for.”
